911 Dispatcher Honored For Helping Deliver Baby Over Phone — Again

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A Westchester County emergency dispatcher is earning something of a stork-like reputation after assisting with a delivery over the phone once again.

Early Sunday morning, Alexander Dennett, Sr. at the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services took a phone call from a distressed husband, who reported that his wife was in labor in New Rochelle. The situation was a bit of a deja vu for Dennett, who has helped deliver a baby over the phone in the past. The uniquely qualified emergency communications specialist was able to guide the father as he helped mom and baby with the delivery that took place just 2 minutes after the emergency call was answered.

Meanwhile, fellow emergency communications specialist Joseph Pagano quickly dispatched New Rochelle Fire Department and Empress EMS to the scene. While emergency units were rushing to the New Rochelle home, Dennett continued to keep the new dad calm while also getting him prepared to take the next steps, including how to tie off the umbilical cord — just in case first responders were delayed.

But, New Rochelle firefighters arrived shortly after to care for the mother and her newborn daughter until an ambulance crew arrived minutes later.

Dennett, who was named the 2021 Westchester County Emergency Communications Center “Operator of the Year,” has already received a number of awards for his sometimes headline-making job performance, including previously taking new parents through unexpected early deliveries.

Commissioner Richard Wishnie pins a “Stork” on to ECS1 Dennett as Deputy Commissioner Susan Spear and Communications Captain John Munson look on.

"This incident once again highlights the benefit of our communications staff all being certified as Emergency Medical Dispatchers, able to provide pre-arrival instructions for emergency childbirths and for several other medical emergencies," Westchester County Emergency Communications Center officials said in a social media post relating Dennett's latest heroics. "The professionalism and continued teamwork between our dispatchers and units in the field – specifically in this instance the New Rochelle Fire Department, Empress EMS and New Rochelle Police Departments – helps ensure the best possible level of pre-hospital care for all of Westchester."